As Jesus is the cornerstone upon which the Church is built, so are his teachings the unifying cornerstone of Christian doctrine.

When Blunt is Right

The Power of Positive Confrontation: The Skills You Need to Know to Handle Conflicts at Work, at Home and in Life
The Power of
Positive Confrontation
Some cultures have a reputation for being tactless and blunt while others seem to be more diplomatic and polite. To the well-mannered among us Jesus’ behavior in Matthew 15:10-28 could seem inappropriate. Yet Jesus was without sin, so perhaps it is our behavior that we need to examine. What can we learn from Jesus' bluntness in his encounter with the Canaanite woman? Grace towards others includes tact and is therefore in many cases a good response. However, is tact the appropriate course in every situation? In professions like the theater, choreography, firefighting and the military there is little time for polite diplomacy. Commands must be given sharply and followed quickly. When someone is about to drive over a cliff, saying, "Pardon me" is not appropriate. Positive confrontation can be used for good and what Jesus did was always good.

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